What Does Iniquity Mean In Biblical Terms?

In the bible, especially the old testament, iniquity is used many times along with the word sin. The meaning of iniquity in biblical terms is literally perverseness or crookedness. For example; evil which is not considered to be straight, upright or moral.

• Sin and Iniquity

As mentioned before, these two words are two of the most common words used in the old testament and are in fact in over 70 verses in the bible. They often appear in parallel to each other. A good example of this is in Psalms 38: 18 where it is written; "For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin" 

In this context, the word sin is used to connote the wrong doing. It is the general word for doing something that is not morally right.  At first glance it would seem that sin and iniquity mean the same as they both are referencing wrong doing and committing crimes against God. However, they may be both connected to doing the wrong thing but they do not have the same meaning.

• The difference between iniquity and sin

When the bible makes references to sins and sinning they are referring to the act of doing something wrong and the physical crime that they have committed. But, when iniquity is referred to this is more to describe the character or nature of the act rather than simply committing the act. 

• Etymology

The word iniquity comes from the word in-equity which refers to something that is unequal, unfair or unjust.
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